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Should've put Huddersfield on the list, can see them making a real fight now their manager has departed
Yes.
Burnley have won 4 on the bounce too across all competitions so can't rule them out either! Also Fulham have Claudio Ranieri, we all know what he done with Leicester so I think they have a chance too!
Yes.
Burnley have won 4 on the bounce too across all competitions so can't rule them out either! Also Fulham have Claudio Ranieri, we all know what he done with Leicester so I think they have a chance too!
I think Wolves will scrape through. Burnley will give them tough competition though.
Let's not write Crystal Palace off either! They beat the champions at their own stadium so no reason they can't win either. Although they did lose to title rivals Watford over the weekend
Arsenal need major investment. At least £200 million plus to be competitive. Rumour has it that Ozil is on bis way out as well.
Liverpool should win it unless their squad is suddenly decimated with injuries.
Man United is in some red hot form this season. Should be able to lift the cup unless Salah has other ideas.
Utd are 14 pts behind LFC and City.
Utd v LFC is a huge game this weekend. Being bitter rivals Utd will be desperate to beat Liverpool and halt their title challenge but imo Liverpool will be very motivated too. I still feel Utd have issues in defence and we will have many chances to exploit these.
My prediction.
Utd 1 - 3 Liverpool
Great prediction.
As highlighted by many, Liverpool's thin squad and Klopp's aggressive playing style is coming back to bite them at a very critical point in the season. The first XI seems to be running out of gas. After all the hype and money that Klopp has spent, a trophy-less season this time around would be nothing short of a disaster.
If they don't hold onto their 1 point lead and win the league this time around, they might have to wait for many years before they can mount a serious challenge again. Man City will strengthen their squad again and Man United will probably be much better next season.
lol. Another subject you have no clue on. My prediction was off but both teams played too cautiously due to the injuries in the first half. Not sure even if you watch matches but I do , many times live at the ground. Both teams did not want to lose to their rivals.
Liverpool's net spend is one of the lowest in Europe.
Man City is a great team, taking over 100 points to win the league last season and are in top 5 best clubs in the world right now. Beating them isn't easy and for Liverpool to be ahead on points into March, shows what a great season the reds have.
These are the types of decisive games that title winning teams go onto win. This is not the time for Liverpool to play cautiously and play for draws. Their lead has already been cut down to 1 point, and they have not been losing points because they have been cautious; they have been losing points because their players have been run into the ground which is a problem for Klopp's teams.
There is no doubt that Liverpool are a brilliant team and Klopp is a brilliant coach. However, history only remembers the winners. Many people are apprehensive about Liverpool holding onto their lead because of these concerns.
Also, people do not care about net spending.
When you spend £67 million on a GK (most expensive GK of all time) and £75 million on a CB (most expensive defender of all time) in successive windows, you are expected to win major trophies. If Klopp fails to win the PL or the UCL this season, he is bound to attract a lot of criticism and rightly so.
Klopp has been given plenty of time and he has been allowed to spend plenty of money on his targets. Pushing City to the brink and topping the table for many months is not enough. The time has come for him to bring trophies to the club.
It's not that simple, a derby game against United can go in any direction. I've been and seen many derbys in the past esp when Utd had a much stronger team but we managed to draw or win. But yes sometimes such matches do make a difference. I remember as a kid watching Liverpool at Anfield go down 3-0 to a strong Utd team but we came back and drew 3-3 with Razor Ruddock scoring a 90th min equalizer. If I can recall that year Utd lost the league title by 1 point to Blackburn. In the current season the back to back draws against Leics and West Ham will be the key moments if we dont win the league.
Net spend is important as Liverpool lost arguably the most gifted no.10 in the PL to Barca. I believe if Coutinho was playing this season we would have won 2-3 matches which we drew and therefore be in a very strong position. What is worse is Utd are now trying to sign him! For the club the size of the Liverpool, one of the biggest in the world, we should have been able to keep him and still sign players but the Yanks who own the club dont care about titles but only to be in the top 4 so the profit keeps rolling in.
Btw Chelsea have the most expensive keeper in the world and £75M for VVD was a bargain, he is the best defender in the world imo.
Please someone defeat or at least hold City. I am waiting....
They have to play both Spurs and United so could drop points there. I will be at Old Trafford for the Manchester Derby on 24th April and I can't wait![]()
They have to play both Spurs and United so could drop points there. I will be at Old Trafford for the Manchester Derby on 24th April and I can't wait![]()
If you are a United fan I will buy you a kebab if you defeat or even hold City!![]()
Man City have shown tremendous resilience. They fought back from a 7 point deficit, beat Liverpool in a must win game in January and are now grinding results without panicking.
This is the difference between a manager with a winning mentality and Klopp.
Klopp won two Bundes Liga with BVB Dortmund over a Bayern side that had won 12 leagues either side of those 2 years & couple of CL as well - for some thing to match, Pep will need the pockets of both Sheikh Mansoor & Roman Abrahamovic together. That's the biggest difference with a soccer Manager & a check book manager.
Klopp has taken BVB & Liverpool to two CL Finals, which is apparently a failure - reality is he punched well above the weight to carry his teams to finals against odds, but couldn't keep steam till late May without sugar dads pumping fuel to his squads in January.
I wrote in 8 months back that MCity will win the title because of Liverpool's slump in January - only in UK they play in that treacherous 4 weeks and they actually schedule 3 tournaments in that period, 12 games in 35 days, for that you need Sheikh Mansoor more than Manager.
Anyway, Pep will definitely show his winning mentality next year in CL with another half a billion from Mansoor.
Actually, that is not true as I explained to another poster in another thread few days back. I will copy paste the relevant portion of my post here.
Klopp dominated Bundesliga with Dortmund from 2010 to 2012, but Bayern at that time were not the dominant force they later on became under Heynckes and Guardiola. This is reflected in the results from 2006 onwards.
Bundesliga champions by year:
2007 - Stuttgart
2008 - Bayern
2009 - Wolfsburg
2010 - Bayern
2011 - Dortmund
2012 - Dortmund
As you can see, four different teams won the Bundesliga from 2007 to 2012, and Bayern were unable to defend the title. They started dominating German football again only from 2012 onwards when they started to exercise their financial power and started buying Dortmund's best players like Lewandowski, Gotze and later Hummels etc.
We have had lengthy discussions on Pep and the myth that he is just a check book manager, and I know that you will not change your opinion, but I will still do my part.
In 2007-2008, Barcelona ended with zero trophies and finished 21 points behind Madrid in La Liga. When Guardiola took over in summer of 2008, he took that team that to a treble in 12 months.
He got rid of figures like Ronaldinho, Deco, Thuram and Zambrotta, and brought in Alves, Pique and promoted Busquets and Pedro from Barca B which he coached previously. He also helped Messi evolve into a monstrous goal-scorer by playing him as a false 9 instead of a winger.
He achieved all of that without Sheikh Mansour and with a net spend of around €35m, which was not much even in 2008.
Name one check-book manager, who with a net spend of €35m, can take a team to a treble after they had finished trophyless in the previous season and 21 points behind the league winners?
For the sake of comparison, Madrid with a net spend of almost €200 in the following summer failed to win a single trophy.
Yes he should have won the Champions League with Bayern and he should deliver one for Man City as well at some point which I think he will, but one can find holes in every managerial career - even in SAF's.
Klopp is a tremendous manager, but he is more similar to the likes of Pochettino and Simeone etc. than the likes of Guardiola and Mourinho. he is a brilliant tactician, improves every team and almost every player, but he doesn't have the winning mentality to win a lot of silverware.
He has not even won a cup of tea at Liverpool so far, and has even failed to win the FA Cup or the League Cup in spite of possessing the second most expensive GK of all time (most expensive before Chelsea bought Kepa) and the most expensive defender of all time in addition to Salah and Mane.
It is understandable that he didn't aim for the smaller cups because he was prioritising the Premier League and Champions League, but surrendering a 7 point lead in the league doesn't justify that.
In a few months time, Klopp will be at Liverpool for 4 years and his trophy cabinet is still empty. He has nothing to show for the improvement that he has brought to the club. Surely, the excuses will run out if it stretches to 5 or 6 years.
It goes without saying that he must deliver something next year or Liverpool will risk losing the likes of Salah, Van Dijk, Allison etc. and going back to square one.
Actually, that is not true as I explained to another poster in another thread few days back. I will copy paste the relevant portion of my post here.
Klopp dominated Bundesliga with Dortmund from 2010 to 2012, but Bayern at that time were not the dominant force they later on became under Heynckes and Guardiola. This is reflected in the results from 2006 onwards.
Bundesliga champions by year:
2007 - Stuttgart
2008 - Bayern
2009 - Wolfsburg
2010 - Bayern
2011 - Dortmund
2012 - Dortmund
As you can see, four different teams won the Bundesliga from 2007 to 2012, and Bayern were unable to defend the title. They started dominating German football again only from 2012 onwards when they started to exercise their financial power and started buying Dortmund's best players like Lewandowski, Gotze and later Hummels etc.
We have had lengthy discussions on Pep and the myth that he is just a check book manager, and I know that you will not change your opinion, but I will still do my part.
In 2007-2008, Barcelona ended with zero trophies and finished 21 points behind Madrid in La Liga. When Guardiola took over in summer of 2008, he took that team that to a treble in 12 months.
He got rid of figures like Ronaldinho, Deco, Thuram and Zambrotta, and brought in Alves, Pique and promoted Busquets and Pedro from Barca B which he coached previously. He also helped Messi evolve into a monstrous goal-scorer by playing him as a false 9 instead of a winger.
He achieved all of that without Sheikh Mansour and with a net spend of around €35m, which was not much even in 2008.
Name one check-book manager, who with a net spend of €35m, can take a team to a treble after they had finished trophyless in the previous season and 21 points behind the league winners?
For the sake of comparison, Madrid with a net spend of almost €200 in the following summer failed to win a single trophy.
Yes he should have won the Champions League with Bayern and he should deliver one for Man City as well at some point which I think he will, but one can find holes in every managerial career - even in SAF's.
Klopp is a tremendous manager, but he is more similar to the likes of Pochettino and Simeone etc. than the likes of Guardiola and Mourinho. he is a brilliant tactician, improves every team and almost every player, but he doesn't have the winning mentality to win a lot of silverware.
He has not even won a cup of tea at Liverpool so far, and has even failed to win the FA Cup or the League Cup in spite of possessing the second most expensive GK of all time (most expensive before Chelsea bought Kepa) and the most expensive defender of all time in addition to Salah and Mane.
It is understandable that he didn't aim for the smaller cups because he was prioritising the Premier League and Champions League, but surrendering a 7 point lead in the league doesn't justify that.
In a few months time, Klopp will be at Liverpool for 4 years and his trophy cabinet is still empty. He has nothing to show for the improvement that he has brought to the club. Surely, the excuses will run out if it stretches to 5 or 6 years.
It goes without saying that he must deliver something next year or Liverpool will risk losing the likes of Salah, Van Dijk, Allison etc. and going back to square one.
As if Koop would be in the tittle picture if he didn’t get the chequebook. MMHS always complaining about Pep signing players but he never talks about how he has improved Sterling, Sane,Bernardo Silva, etc. Manchester City overpay for players who fit their system.
Probably you have got your answer by now with a bit bitter taste .... and remember, this is without his No. 9 & No. 11 .... namely Roberto Firmino & Mo Salah. Your Cheque Book Manager would have run to Mansoor ..... he is a brilliant cook, you buy him ingredients, his food will be delicious, but Managing soccer teams without Sugar dad is a different menu and EPL is a different kitchen.
[MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION] - Klopp is brilliant, not because he is Liverpool Manager and I am a Liverpool fan or he is managing with little budget .... but because he got 4 goals against Barca from his 2 bench players, and 3 of those in 2nd half after changing formation. Mansoor's foreman conceded 3 times at home to Pochetino's depleted side .......
Man City have shown tremendous resilience. They fought back from a 7 point deficit, beat Liverpool in a must win game in January and are now grinding results without panicking.
This is the difference between a manager with a winning mentality and Klopp.
Probably you have got your answer by now with a bit bitter taste .... and remember, this is without his No. 9 & No. 11 .... namely Roberto Firmino & Mo Salah. Your Cheque Book Manager would have run to Mansoor ..... he is a brilliant cook, you buy him ingredients, his food will be delicious, but Managing soccer teams without Sugar dad is a different menu and EPL is a different kitchen.
[MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION] - Klopp is brilliant, not because he is Liverpool Manager and I am a Liverpool fan or he is managing with little budget .... but because he got 4 goals against Barca from his 2 bench players, and 3 of those in 2nd half after changing formation. Mansoor's foreman conceded 3 times at home to Pochetino's depleted side .......
Nothing wrong with that - Klopp over paid for VVD & Alisson. But, as I wrote many times - EPL is a 38 games marathon, you need fuel for that; Mansoor has bought Pep a 2nd squad for bench who are good enough to make top 4 finish in EPL (under a proper manager). This ManCity squad has put 300mn+ into a squad that won EPL 2 years back ..... somewhere it'll count. And, today Klopp played a wide player Origi at No. 9, left footed Shakiri at right wing and changed formation at half time to drop EPLs best left back to bring Wijnaldum at sort of false 9... and recovered a 0-3 against Spanish Champions, who won league 2 weeks back!!!!!!
When Klopp wins it's brilliant tactics but when Pep win it isn't brilliant tactics . It's because of the players. I don't think your assessment is fair.
Indeed he is a brilliant tactician and one of the best managers in world. And, I was a big fan of Pep for his fluid style of soccer - but when people starts to blow his trumpet out of proportion, someone has to balance that out. Here in PP I found that hardly anyone even consider Rafa (another LFC Manager, but I am not writing for that) as a great manager. And, the amount of Jo Mou gets at PP is laughable - he won 2 CLs with Porto & Inter ......
Coming to Klopp, indeed it's also for his players - he didn't play for them last night. Did you hear his press conference before a game against FC Barcelona, with 0-3 down - ".... Salaha & Firmino are top class strikers, two of the best in world and we'll definitely miss them. Still we'll have to score, we'll have to score at least 3 times and we must not concede against Messi ......... sounds difficult, but we'll have to find a way to do that...."
Have you noticed what he has done to almost unknown or less known players? Robertson, Trent, Mane, Firmino, Shakiri, even Mo was an EPL flop .... people talk about VVD's price, but last night Messi was marked not by VVD, rather a guy bought for free - Joel Matip. And, few months back you tagged me for couple of players - one named Toriera, and other one Fabinho .....Did you watch him last night against Barca's midfield - for a note, that guy was playing mostly as right back at Monaco and Klopp bought him as DM-CM. He bought 10-12 players between 19-23 in between 2007-2010 at Dortmund, highest priced was probably Lewandwiski or Reus, 4.5mn EURO - those 10-12 players at their peak could have drawn 100mn+
Klopp is a different manager - he'll be a super flop in a club like MCity, Real, Chelsea or PSG, because guy has own style and philosophy and he knows what he is doing.
After all that you still never answered my point. With you, when Klopp does anything its all due to tactics but with Pep its all the players lol.
I have always rated Robertson, you just didnt rate Robertson due to his nationality. It was clear he was talented. Also Arnold is a highly talented player. Mane has improved with coaching.
I have always liked Fabiano, I just thought at the time Torriera was better. Still could be better. Also Fabiano was playing as a cm at Monaco. Dont make out as though that was Klopps invention. Sidebe plays at RB for Monaco.
No doubt he is a great manager, who can motivate and improve players. But you praise Klopp for winning games with tactics but Pep has won games due to tactics but you made a claim on PP before that Pep has never won a game due to tactics.
Actually, I have answered your point - a soccer manager finds his way by raising players; a cheque book manager buys out of trouble. Pep had a problem with his defence - his way out was blowing 250mn for defenders, half of whom he doesnÂ’t use. Tactics is definitely there - itÂ’ll be foolish to say that a manager with such resume doesnÂ’t have tactics; but he has lost too many vital games for tactical blunders for a manager of such pedigree.
No, Fabinho is predominantly a Right Back, for Brazil & for Monaco. Jadim had two RBs in his squad - often played Sidebe as wide right mid fielder and Fabinho as RB, and switched positions. Robertson was good, otherwise a Scottish reserve doesnÂ’t start in EPL at 20 .... Klopp has made him probably the best LB in EPL and among top 3-4 in world.
I have NEVER claimed that Pep or any manager had never won a game for tactics - that little gyan I do possess. What you are mixing is that, his head to head record is poor against top managers, compared to respective squads and I have seen his team losing grounds too many times in 2nd half, for a top manager with such squads.
Next 2 Barca managers had out done Pep, so did Hyenkes at Bayern & now Kovac is winning it from behind. After 3 years in MCity riches, he hasnÂ’t achieved more than Pelegrini or Moyes (at MU) in CL. People gives a damn about MCity - the love affair with Pep is for Barca link - at one point, heÂ’ll be questioned as well. And, if UEFA imposes ban/restrictions on MCityÂ’s transfer activities - PepÂ’ll leave Ittehad - his biggest asset is his squad depth, without that, heÂ’ll get exposed like CL as well - you may not agree with that.
What was Klopps way out of solving his defence? Signing VVD. Don't talk about losing vital games. Klopp has lost every final since 2012. Can't get more vital than finals.)
No he played in CM a lot as well. When I watched him at Monaco, he played in CM. It wasnt a Klopp invention.
He always beats Klopp when it matters other than UCL QF last year. He has beaten Mourinho plenty of times as well. Beaten Wenger black and blue. Knocked Allegri out of CL. These aren't top managers ?
Don't see how getting knocked out how Barca have is out doing Pep. Current Dortmund manager is out doing Klopp by taking Bayern this far. Klopp never took the great Bayern team from 2013 even this close.) .
He doesn't have a affinity with Manchester City so I don't see him there much longer but you call the PL the best league in the world but won't give credit to someone for winning it 2 years in a row. You would still rather talk about a manager who can't win this league despite have genius tactics.
EPL is by far the toughest league to win - before Pep, Pelegrini did that for City ... I do give credit for that, but Sheikh Mansoor deserves equal credit as well.
No, Pep doesn’t always beat Klopp. Excluding his record for that Barca team, it’s nothing spectacular- that Barca generation was built by Rijkaard, Pep was there at the right time. Check the record for next 2 Barca managers (Tito & Enrique) when Messi & co were in their 20s, you can realise that. This Bayern team and the Bayern 5 years back is totally different- their entire squad has aged into 30s now .... and still they are leading by 4 points with 2 games to go, from as far as 10 point deficit, therefore not sure how current manager is out doing Klopp.
EPL isn't easy to win. But you really need to calm down with overeating it. PSG don't even have 90 points in a farmer's league yet 2 teams in England have 90 points. There are plenty of average teams in the premier league and not every team plays the physical style you always go on about. Most teams are trying to play the ball on the ground and use running power rather than a physical style.
Well at Dortmund, Sven Mislintat signed a lot of Dortmunds core yet you give all the credit to Klopp.
He is doing a very good job. Klopp hardly challenged the great Bayern team from 2012. Yet Farve in his 1st season has taken them all the way. Not interested in how old they are. They are by far the best team in Germany. Always talking about low budget , Dortmund hardly spend big money and they are still challenging Bayern. He is doing a very good job.
Bayern were not as good when Klopp won his 2 titles although it was still a great achievement.
Your problem is you ovverate everything Klopp has done
Can find an excuse for all his failures but with Pep its always about players and money.